Week 4: Camera Use: Artists: Edward Steichen & Yousuf Karsh Texture, Positive / Negative space research

Edward Steichen, a Painter by training turned to Photography

Born	Éduard Jean Steichen March 27, 1879 Bivange, Luxembourg
Died	March 25, 1973 (aged 93) West Redding, Connecticut, U.S.
Nationality	American
Known for	Painting, Photography

The Pond-Moonlight 

The texture is very airy. Amazing reflection, negative space in the fore ground completes the images. With the rising sun between the centre trees.

February 14, 2006 a photograph of a pond taken by Edward Steichen sold for more than $2.9 million, easily setting a world record for the highest amount a photograph has sold for at auction, Sotheby’s said (today this record has been broken a few times). The photograph, titled ”The Pond-Moonlight” and taken in Mamaroneck, Westchester County in 1904. 

There are only three prints which were made under Steichen’s supervision, and are a great example of a rare vintage photograph by an artist who ha

d an influence on later 20th-century photographers. Steichen’s early painterly photographs, possibly naive to our image-soaked modern eyes, helped establish photography as an art form.

Reference: http://agnautacouture.com

Masters of Photography:
Edward Steichen
www.masters-of-photography.com
374 × 480
Search by image Edward Steichen
The Maypole

The leading lines of the building creates an effect of depth and height. The chains on the right seem to be going into infinity. 
The texture of the black and white duotone, creates a contrast, moving into negative space in the background.

Steichen’s pictorialist period ended in 1917, when he joined the United States Army and created an aerial photography unit in northern France to gather intelligence about artillery positions and troop movements behind enemy lines. And after the war, Steichen’s lifelong interest in horticulture resulted in near-abstract images of flowers, plants and insects.

Gloria Swanson

The netting creates the texture. Tight cropping no positive or negative space.  

Steichen’s portraits for Vanity Fair brought him new fame.

Reference: http://agnautacouture.com/

Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) is one of the masters of 20th century photography.  His body of work includes portraits of statesmen, artists, musicians, authors, scientists, and men and women of accomplishment.  His extraordinary and unique portfolio presents the viewer with an intimate and compassionate view of humanity.  Reference: http://www.karsh.org                      Yousuf Karsh (December 23, 1908 – July 13, 2002) was an Armenian-Canadian photographer, and one of the most famous and accomplished portrait photographers of all time.

Speaking about his Photography, he was very powerful in using studio lights.He had Photographed many famous personalities all over the world during his reign in Photography. In all his photographs there was a essence for the person he has captured which is very much visible to us. He says ” My chief joy is to photograph the great in heart, in mind, and in spirit, whether they be famous or humble”

More Information about Yousuf Karsh.

http://121clicks.com/inspirations/the-greatest-portraits-ever-taken-by-yousuf-karsh

Pic 1: Winston Churchill, the smooth black texture in the suit highlight his face. Positive space, centred image.

Pic 2: Pablo Picasso, interesting how the vase is positioned, Picasso looks to be daydreaming. The negative space is on the left.

Pic 3: Ernest Hemingway, the photo cropped tightly, giving the shoulders and the face a solid look. The detail of the jerseys texture gives the photo a sailor feel. Positive space behind the head.

Pic 4: Audrey Hepburn, elegant and slender. Soft texture positioned central upper third.

Pic 1 Winston Churchill      Pic 2 Pablo Picasso    Pic 3 Ernest Hemingway

© Yousuf Karsh                                   © Yousuf Karsh                               © Yousuf Karsh

Pic 4 Audrey Hepburn

© Yousuf Karsh

Reference:  http://thevirtualinstructor.com/positive-and-negative-space.html

Positive and negative space play an important role in determining the overall composition in a work of art.  By understanding positive and negative space and applying your knowledge, you can become more successful in designing your compositions. 

What is Positive and Negative Space? 

Simply put, positive space is best described as the areas in a work of art that are the subjects, or areas of interest. Negative space is area around the subjects, or areas of interest. 

Take a look at the image below.

For example, do you see faces or a vase? 

If you are seeing a vase, then you are seeing the white area as the positive space. The black areas become the negative space. If you are seeing faces, then you are seeing the black areas as the positive space, and the white area as the negative space.